Klopp: Hard work and team ethic key to success
Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp insists work rate and togetherness has played a huge part in Liverpool’s fortunes and transformation, writes Sam May.
Replacing Brendan Rodgers in October 2015, Klopp had a difficult start to life at Anfield, but 2016 has seen the Reds reach two-cup finals.
Despite losing the Capital One Cup final on penalties to Manchester City, the Reds can earn a place in next season Champions League if they beat Sevilla in the Europa League final in Basle on May 18.
The match at St Jacobs Park will see Alberto Moreno face his former club, since his £12 million move from Los Rojiblancos in 2014.
“Hopefully it is like this because we are together so often,” he said. “It is because of the boys. That makes it easy.
“We have a good relationship and that is very important when you have so many hours together every day. You want to feel close to your players.
“There are a lot of roads that lead to Rome. The most successful managers in the world may have different relations with the players – but I can’t change my character. Maybe I should in some parts, but not this.”
The Reds had to come from behind to score four goals to beat Klopp’s former club, Borussia Dortmund, in the quarterfinals. Liverpool then overcome Villarreal in the semis, having lost the first leg 1-0, before cruising to 3-0 an Anfield, with the Yellow Submarines offering little resistance.
“All I saw was the players working. Where is the miracle?” Klopp said. “We came back against Dortmund – see how often they have lost or drawn in 2016, not a lot. Teams who play like that deserve to win.
“Against Villarreal in the first half hour I have not seen this often from a team. It was pure power.
“But I have seen something in these boys that made me think there’s really something in this team.”
In the final, expect Liverpool to continue to show togetherness, great work ethic and high pressing. This should be enough to stop Sevilla making it an unprecedented hat trick of Europa League successes, having won it the last two years in succession.
Follow Sam on Twitter: @Sam95May